Andover Volunteer Fire Department Safety Tips
The NFPA states a candle
is an open flame. It can easily ignite any combustible nearby. Many lives have
been lost and property destroyed because people misuse candles. With that in
mind, here are some things to keep in mind:
These and other tips can be found at NFPA's website.
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Like smoke detectors,
these are another life saving device. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless,
odorless gas produced when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, oil
and methane do not burn completely. Typical symptoms of CO poisoning include
headache and/or nausea. Prolonged exposure can lead to difficulty breathing
and death. Be sure to install and maintain your CO Detector according to the
If you are experiencing CO poisoning symtoms and you suspect a CO problem in your home, get everyone out of the house and contact 911. Keep the windows and doors closed to help us locate the possible source.
Many homes use wood stoves and fireplaces for heating. Keeping the chimney clean and free of creosote is very important. A fire in the chimney is dangerous because it can break through the mansonry and get into the house. It can also weaken the structure making the chimney a potential collapse hazard. Not all chimney fires detected right away. The Chimney Safety Institute of America has a lot of good information about your chimney. This page of their website is specific to chimney fires.
These and other tips can be found at NFPA's website.
Dryers generate a lot of heat which makes them a potential starting point for a fire. The most common cause of dryer fires is the lint screen. Simply clean the lint off the screen before using the dryer and you've eliminated a big fire hazard.
Know a couple of ways to
get out of the rooms in your home. Especially in the dark... or in smoke. Have
a place outside where the family will meet. Make a drawing of your home and
show the fastest way out and to the meeting place.
The NFPA's website has some good info.
Most people exit an unfamiliar building through the same door they entered the building. This can be very dangerous in an emergency. Imagine lots of people trying to quickly get out the same door at the same time. This has resulted in injury and death. So what do you do?
Note the location of at least one or two other exits after entering the building. If there is an emergency and you have to leave the building, don't panic. Walk to one of the exits and get out. And don't go back in!
FIREPLACES & WOODSTOVES
According to FEMA, more than one-third of Americans use firepalces or woodstoves to heat their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks. Here are a few things to be aware of:
Below are suggestions from the NFPA for a safer Halloween:
Here are some suggestions
from your favorite Fire Department:
Be sure your house number is visible from the road. Put the numbers on your mailbox or a post near your driveway. Use numbers that are at least 3 inches tall. Think about using the reflecting type! Better yet, purchase a sign from us. Click here for an order form.
Try this test: Next time you drive home, make believe you are the person driving the fire truck, ambulance, or police car. You've never been to your house before and the only way to find it is by looking for the house number. What are you looking for? The mailbox? Is it easy to find? How well did you see the numbers? Try the same test at night.
Ice strength depends upon thickness, snow cover, changes in temperature, depth of the water under the ice, water flow (current), and water level. Schools of fish under the ice will also affect the integrity of the ice. The following principles should be adhered to at all ponds and lakes where ice skating or ice fishing activities take place.
When a person falls through the ice, he or she should not attempt to climb out immediately, but rather, should kick to the surface and get horizontal in the water with their legs back of the torso, rather than underneath, in order to avoid jackknifing the body beneath the ice. Once the body is horizontal, the person should attempt to slide forward onto the ice. Once out of the water, the person should avoid standing near the broken ice. Roll away from the break area instead until you are several body lengths away from the ice break.
Please wear them. Like smoke detectors, they help save lives. We have seen enough accidents where people would be a lot better off (translate that to "alive") if they had worn their seat belt. Wear them even if your car is equipped with air bags. And car seats belted in are a must for small children. Not only is it smart, it's the law in Connecticut.
Use them! They are cheap and they save lives. Remember to change the batteries at least once a year. To help you remember, pick a "special" day or event. For example, Fire Prevention Week is a logical time. Your birthday (so you can make it to the next one) is usually a day you remember (though some of us just as soon not). The point is, pick a time and change those batteries.
STOP, DROP and ROLL
Why are only children
taught to do this? Adults' clothes can catch fire, too. Here's what EVERYONE
Great way to cook a turkey
but it has to be done safely. Here's information from the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing safety tips for preventing fires and burns when using turkey fryers. Since 1998, CPSC has reports of 75 incidents that involved fires, flames, or burns associated with turkey fryers. Twenty-eight of these incidents were reported for the year 2002.
Here are some of the hazard scenarios:
The majority of reported
incidents occurred while the oil was being heated, prior to adding the turkey.
For this reason, it is very important consumers monitor the temperature of the
oil closely. If any smoke at all is noticed coming from a heating pot of oil,
the burner should be turned off immediately because the oil is overheated.
There is a risk of injury resulting from splashing due to the cooking of partially frozen meats. Thoroughly thaw and dry ALL meats before cooking in hot oil. One reported burn incident occurred when partially frozen chicken wings were added to hot oil in a turkey fryer.
CPSC staff is working with industry and voluntary standards organizations to improve the safety standard for turkey fryers.
CPSC staff recommends consumers who choose to fry turkeys follow the following safety guidelines:
Never use IN, ON, or
UNDER a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or any structure that can catch
Raise and lower food SLOWLY to reduce splatter and avoid burns.
COVER bare skin when adding or removing food.
Check the oil temperature frequently.
If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn gas supply OFF.
If a fire occurs, immediately call 911. DO NOT attempt to extinguish fire with water.
For safest operation, CPSC staff recommends that consumers follow these guidelines as they prepare to use a turkey fryer:
Place the liquid propane gas tank and fryer so that any wind blows the heat of the fryer away from the gas tank.
Center the pot over the burner on the cooker.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to determine the proper amount of oil to add. If those are not available:
Fill with water until the turkey is covered by about 1/2 inch of water
Remove and dry turkey
Mark water level. Dump water, dry the pot, and fill with oil to the marked level.